Supervisory mechanism



C. E. RENSHAW AND E. C; HEALY.

SUPERVISORY MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 23, I918.

Patented Feb. 28, 1922.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

3 6 v 1 m 4, I 2 Z I. w m. M :I I 5 U. Am 0 1 AW W0 QXR I Q S a 1 m 2 H1 MM m Alf/W ay W C. RENSHAW AND E. C. HEALY.

SUPERVISORY MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 23, 1918.

1 ,407,807 Patented Feb. 28, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

CHARLES E. RENSHAW AND ELLIS C. HEALY, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY,

ASSIG-NORS TO NEWMAN CLOCK COMPANY, INC, OF NEW' YORK, N. Y., A COR-LPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SUPERVISOR/Y MECHANISM.

Application filed April 23, 1918.

To all whom it may com-cm:

Be it known that we, CHARLES E. REN- srniw and ELLIs C. HEALY, bothcitizens of the United States, residing at East Orange, county of Essex,and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Supervisory Mechanism, of which the :t'ollowing is afull, clear, and exact description.

Valves for controlling the flow of fluids are in such common use thatthey form a component part of practically every mechanical equipment ingeneral use. Under certain conditions it is essential that they shouldremain. open or remain closed at all times except for making repairs,extensions or for other recognized purposes; and it is a well recognizedfact that loss of life and great damage has resulted through oversightor design in permitting valves to remain closed whentheir normalposition should be open, and vice versa.

The invention which constitutes the subject matter of this applicationrelates to supervisory mechanism, specifically de scribed in connectionwith sprinkler systems.

The use of automatic sprinkler systems is coming more and more intovogue, but. like all other systems of water distribution the valves attimes must necessarily be closed temporarily in order to effect repairs,to prevent freezing, and for many other purposes. There has been and isa tendency on the part of workmen to leave one or more of the valvesclosed, thereby putting a part or the whole of the system completely outot co1n mission. with a result of considerable losses in cases of fire.

Our invention therefore has to do with mechanism adapted to be connectedto a valve for controlling the access to a recordke located adjacentthereto. That is to say w. on the valve is open, as it normally shouldbe, access may be had. to the key, but if the valve is closed the key isnot available. As each one of these valves (or stations) is equippedwith a key a time-print may be made on a record dial of a watchmansclock which would indicate the time at which the station was visited. Solong as these imprints are made at the required intervals,

as shown by the record dial, it is a sure indication that the valves atthese particular times were opened. But it the imprint Specification ofLetters Patent.

Patented Feb. 28, 1922.

Serial No. 230,279.

oi a certain station were omitted from the record dial it would be anequally sure indication that the key at that station was inaccessibleand therefore the valve was closed assuming that the watchman visitedthat particular station. Of course, it it is a part of the watchman sduty to open the valve he could then make the imprint. In any event thedevice will have served its purpose.

Further objects and advantages will appear from the detailed descriptionbelow taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which- Fig.l is a side view of a valve illustratin the invention in longitudinalsection applied thereto.

F 2 is a longitudinal section similar to the sectioned port-ions ofFigure 1 illustrating the parts in diiierent relative positions.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectiontaken on line 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 illustrates a detail.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of a slightly modified form of myinvention.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the device illustrated in Fig.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the refercnce numeral 10 designatesthe water sup ply to the sprinkler coming from any suitable pipe (notshown). Located in this supply is a valve 11 provided with a yoke 12, athreaded sleeve 13 rotatably mounted in the yoke, a valve stem letscrew-threaded to the sleeve, and a manipulating handle 15 fixed to thesleeve 18 and adapted to rotate the same in order to impart alongitudinal movement to the valve-stem 14.- andthe gate valve (notshown) attached thereto. i

Rigidly secured to the manipulating wheel 15, as by bolts 10 and nuts17, and surrounding the valve stem ii, is a cylindrical. canister 18 theupper end 01"" which is open but cut away slightly as indicated at 19.Rigidly secured to the upper end of the valve stem let is a receptacle20 provided with a door 21, the construction of the receptacle beingsuch that it fits the interior of the canister rather snugly. Theconstruction is also such that when the stem is in its uppermostposition the door 21 may be opened as clearly indicated in Figure 1, thedoor at this time being located adjacent to the cut-away portion 19. Butit will be obvious, when the wheel 15 is rotated in the direction toclose the valve, that the receptacle 21 will move downwardly therebycausing the door 2-1 to engage the upper edge of the canister 18 and beclosed thereby. The amount of turning required to close the door whenthe valve is fully opened will oi course depend upon the relativeposition of the canister 18 and receptacle 20 and upon the degree ofinclination of the cutaway portion 19. The arrangement is preferablysuch that this is accomplished before the wheel 15 has made more thantwo or three complete rotations.

The receptacle 20 is reinovably and adjustably secured to the stem 11-by means of a hollow split stud 22 engaging a socket 253 in the upperend of the valve stem. Any suitable means may be employed formaintaining a rigid relationship between the stud 22 and stem is, but wepreferably employ a screw 2st provided with an inclined surface on itslower end adapted to engage the beveled interior surface of the stud.

To the bottom of the receptacle 20 is secured one end of a key chain theother end of which is provided with what is known as a watchmans key 26.The key chain is of sufiicient length to allow the key to be normallysuspended at a distance sufficient to enable the watchman to make hisrecord. Of course the watchman is supposed to keep the key within thereceptacle 20 with the door 21 closed so that a predetermined closingmovement of the valve stem 14 will result in locking the door 21 in itsclosed position. However, should the watchmen negligently omit to putthe key in the box or it for any other reason a closing movement isimparted to the valve stem by one who carelessly omits to put the key inthe receptacle 2O beforehand, nevertheless the key chain will not onlybe drawn inwardly by the closing of the door but will be clamped betweenthe door and receptacle thus putting the same out of condition for usein making a record.

In Figs. 5 and 6 we illustrate a construction in which the receptacle 20is swivelled to the valve stem 14: and in which the canister 18 isprovided with a longitudinal head 27 engaging with a groove 28 in thereceptacle. This not only enables a longitudinal movement of thereceptacle 20 with respect to the canister but also a rotary movementtherewith.

To the canister there may also be pivoted a gravityor spring pressedsignal arm 29 normally lying concealed between the mem bers 30. Thissignal 29 is provider with an extension 31 normally located in the pathof the receptacle 20, the construction being such that when thereceptacle moves downwardly into the canister it will engage with theextension and operate the signal. It will be understood that it thevalve stem l l projects upwardly the specific type of signal illustratedwill obviously operate by gravity. In any other arrangement of the valvestem it would be advisable to have the signal returned to normalposition by positive means.

From the foregoing it will be seen that we have provided a simplemechanism to prevent the watchman from making a record while visitingany particular station, pro viding the valve is not in normal position.In operation the supervisor visits each valve equipped with my inventionand if the valve is found to be closed or open as the particular systemrequires, it is then possible for him to obtain the key in order to makea registration upon his watchmans clock, which is indisputable evidencethat the valve was at that time and place in normal position. It,however the supervisor should be unable to obtain the key he would thenknow that the valve is not in its normal position, and he would thus beunable to effect the registration until the valve had been restored tonormal position. And it the dial on the watchmans clock does not show aregistration covering all the valves which he is required to superviseit could be readily determined which valve or valves he had found not tobe in normal position.

The constructions illustrated and described are merely the preferredembodiments of our invention and it is to be understood that we do notlimit ourselves thcret as it is obvious not only that many changes maybe made in point of detail but that other embodiments may be resorted towithout departing from the true spirit and scope of our invention asdefined in the following claims.

lV hat we claim is:

1. The combination with a valve provided with a stem of a manipulatinghandle or wheel for in'iparting a longitudinal movement to said stem, akey receptacle carried by and movable with said stem and provided with adoor, and means carried by said wheel adapted to close said door whenthe valve is moved from its normal position.

2. The combination with a valve provided with an operating member andmember operated thereby, a key receptacle carried by one of said membersand provided with a door through which a key is inserted and removedfrom the receptacle, and means carried by the other member adapted toclose said door when the valve is moved from its normal position.

3. The combination with a valve provided with an operating member and amember operated thereby, of a normally operative record producing meanscarried by one of said members, and means carried by the other memberfor rendering said record producing means inruperative when the valve ismoved from its normal position.

4. The combination with a valve provided with an operating member and amember operated thereby, of a key receptacle carried by one of saidmembers and provided with a door normally operative to provide access tosaid receptacle, and means carried by the other member to render saiddoor inoperative to preventaccess to the receptacle when the valve ismoved from its normal position.

5. The con'ibination with a valve provided with an operating member anda member operated thereby, of a key receptacle carried by one of saidmembers and provided with a door normally operative to provide access tothe interior thereof, and means carried by the other member telescopingover said receptacle and having a relative movement with respect theretowhen the valve is moved from its normal position to render said.doorinoperative to prevent access to the interior of the receptacle.

(3. T he combination with a valve provided with an operating member andmember operated thereby, of a receptacle fixed to and carried by one oi?said members and provided with a door normally operative to provideaccess to the interior thereof, and actuating means carried by the othermemher, said receptacle and actuating means have relative rotatable andlongitudinal movements with respect to each other to render said doorinoperative to prevent access to the interior of said receptacle.

7. The combination with a valve provided with an operating member and amember operated thereby, of a key receptacle swivelled to and carried byone of said members and provided with a door normally operative toprovide access to the interior thereof, and actuating means carried bythe other member provided with means thereon cooperating with means onthe receptacle to prevent relative rotation, but enabling a relativelongitudinal movement with respect to each other to render said doorinoperative to prevent access to the interior of said receptacle.

8.. The combination with a valve provided with an oaerativc member and amember operated thereby, oil? a key mechanism carried by one of saidmembers, means carried by the other member for rendering said ltcymechanism inoperative when the valve is moved from its normal position,and a signal means carried by one of said members and adapted to beactuated. by the other.

9. The combination with a valve provided with an operating member and amember operated thereby, of a key mechanism carried by one of saidmembers, and means carried by the other member for rendering said keymechanism inoperative when the valve is moved from its normal position.

10. In combination, a valve having a longitudinally movable stem, anoperating member therefor, a normally operable record-producing means,and means comprising an elcn'ient connected to the end of said stem forpreventing manual operation or" said first named means when said valveis in abnormal condition.

ll. The con'ibination with a valve provided with an operating member anda valve stem operated thereby, ot' a normally operative recordproducingmeans, and means attached to and actuated by longitudinal movement 0tsaid stem "from its normal position for preventing the operation of saidrecord-producing means while the valve is not in normal position.

1 The combination with a valve provided with an operating member and avalve stem operated thereby but relatively mo'v able thereto, of amanually operable in.- dicatioil-producing means, and means attached toand actuated by movement of said stem from its normal position forpreventing the operation of said indicationproducing means while thevalve is not in normal position.

13. The combination with a valve pro vided with an operating member anda valve stem operated thereby, of a normally operative record producingmeans, and means actuated by the movement of said stem from it normalposition for preventing operation of said record producing means whilethe valve is not in normal position, said means comprising a partattached to the end of. the valve stem and movable longitudinallytherewith.

lsl. The combination with a valve provided with a valve stem, a memberrelatively movable with respect to said stem for operating the latter,manually operable indication-producing means, and means actuated byrelative movement between said stem. and member for preventing operationof said indication producing means when said valve is in abnormalcondition.

17 In combination, a valve, manually operable indication-producingmeans, means comprising a closure for controlling access to said firstmentioned means, and means for automatically operating said closure toclosed position, when said valve moved to abnormal condition 18. Incombination, a valve, manually operable indication producing means,means comprising a door for controlling access to said first mentionedmeans, and means actuated by closure or said valve for closing saiddoor,

17. In combination, a valve having a stem, a member relatively movablewith respect to said stem for operating the same, manually operableindication -producing means, and means comprising an element swivellyconnected to said stem for preventing manual operation saidindicationproducing means when said valve is in al normal condition.

18. In combination, a valve having a stem, manually operableindication-prodncing means, and means comprisnig an element connected tothe end of said stem by an expansion bolt for preventing manualoperation of said indication-producing means when said valve is inabnormal condition.

19. In combination, a valve having a stem, a manually operable recorder,recorder control means, and means attached to said stem for imparting tosaid control means motion of the same character the motion of said stem.

20. In combination, a valve, a manually operable indication-producingmeans, a container for said means, a closure 'lor said container, andmeans connecting said valve and closure for operating the latter toclosed position when the va ve is moved from normal position.

21. In combination, a valve, an indicating means, a manually operabletool adapted to be engaged with said means to produce an indication, abarrier movable into and out of a position between said means and tool,and means controlled by mmrement of said valve for automatically movingsaid barrier.

22. A supervisory system for sprinkler valves comprising in combination,a valve, means for operating said valve, means for indicating thecondition of said valve, :1

watchmans key, and means for controlling said indicating means and forcontrolling record-producing use of said key by actuation of saidvalve-operating means.

23. In combination; a valve, means inannally operable to produce anindication, a closure which when in one position permits manualoperation of said means and when in another position prevents manualoperation of said means, and means connected to a movable part of saidvalve for actuating said closure on a predetern'iined movement. of saidvalve part and for locking said closure against opening movement on afurther movement of said part.

In testimony whereof we allin our signatures.

CHARLES E. RENSHAW'. ELLIS C. HEALY.

. Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent N 0. 1,407,807, grantedFebruary 28, 1922, upon the application of Charles E. RenshaW and EllisC. Healy, of East Orange, New Jersey, for an improvement in SupervisoryMechanism, an error appears in the printed specification requiringcorrection as follows: Page 3, line 50, claim 8, for the Word operativeread operating; and that the said Letters Patent should be read withthis correction therein that the same may conform to the record of thecase in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 28th day of March, A. D., 1922.

[sEAL.] KARL FENNING,

Acting Commissioner of Patents.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent N 0. 1,407,807, grantedFebruary 28, 1922, upon the application of Charles E. Renshaw and EllisC. Healy, of East Orange, New Jersey, for an improvement in SupervisoryMechanism, an error appears in the printed specification requiringcorrection as follows: Page 3, line 50,

claim 8, for the Word operative read operating; and that the saidLetters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the samemay conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 28th day of March, A. D., 1922.

[SEAL] KARL FENNING,

Acting Commissioner of Patents.

